The Phillies and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GTPMC) are teaming up to launch a "Phanatic Around Town" public art project. The tourism and fan initiative features the Phillie Phanatic, one of Philadelphia's favorite icons, and ties into GPTMC's With Love, Philadelphia XOXO(TM) tourism marketing campaign.

This is the first time a Major League Baseball mascot will be molded into a public art project.

"Phanatic Around Town" features twenty Phillie Phanatic statues, all of which will be painted by local artists and put on display throughout Philadelphia from April until August 2010. Made of fiberglass, each statue weighs one hundred pounds and stands six feet tall.

The Phanatic statues will later be auctioned off, with proceeds to benefit Phillies Charities, Inc.

"We are very excited to partner with GPTMC, the local art community and various attractions on this project," said David Buck, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Advertising Sales, Phillies. "Phanatic Around Town is a great way to kick-off the baseball season. We can't wait for tourists and fans to see the finished Phanatics throughout Philadelphia."

"Summer is top time for family travel and baseball is America's favorite family pastime, so the 'Phanatic Around Town' Public Art Project promises to be another, fun, family-friendly way to tour Philadelphia," said Meryl Levitz, President and CEO, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation. "It's great to work with our beloved Phillies on behalf of our beloved city."

"The Phanatic is humbled to not only have one statue made in his likeness, but to have twenty made is a real honor. He is as much Philadelphia as cheesesteaks, pretzels and the Liberty Bell," said Tom Burgoyne, the Phillie Phanatic's Best Friend.

STATUE ROADTRIP & FAN CONTEST
In an effort to raise awareness about Phanatic Around Town, the Phillies and GPTMC unveiled a co-branded statue, With Love, Philadelphia XOXO(TM) Phanatic, which embarked on a nearly 1,000-mile journey to Clearwater, Florida in the Phillies Community Van - to arrive just in time for the first Spring Training game at Bright House Field on Wednesday, March 3. The With Love, Philadelphia XOXO(TM) Phanatic will be escorted by Phillies/GPTMC ambassadors, Travis and Troy. Fans can follow their adventure at phillies.com, twitter.com/philaphillies, twitter.com/visitphilly, facebook.com/phillies and facebook.com/visitphilly.

Fans will also have the chance to name the With Love, Philadelphia XOXO(TM) Phanatic at twitter.com/visitphilly and facebook.com/visitphilly.

ABOUT With Love, Philadelphia XOXO (TM)
The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation's With Love, Philadelphia XOXO(TM) tourism marketing campaign, launched in May 2009, features love letters penned by the city itself inviting people to visit. Philadelphia conveys its personality-and a bit of atty-tood-in each of the 115 messages, all of which are signed affectionately With Love, Philadelphia XOXO(TM). Visitors who book one of the 70 hotel packages-including the popular Philly Overnight® Hotel Package with free hotel parking-featured on visitphilly.com/withlove receive a special gift at check-in. The giveaway comes with Philly Fill-Ins word games, a five-pack of With Love postcards, a With Love pin and the Official Philly Brag Book, featuring 200 reasons to love the Philadelphia region, along with maps and coupons. The packages are bookable online at visitphilly.com/withlove or by calling the hotel directly.